Container for keys, note pads, and similar articles



March 1.7', 1953 l K. M. VOGEL ,2,631,631

CONTAINER FOR KEYS, NOTE PADS, AND SIMILAR ARTICLES Filed May 27, .949 2 SHEETS-SHEET l KURT VUEEL Gttorneg March 17, 1953 K. M. VOGEL CONTAINER FOR KEYS, NOTE PADS, AND SIMILAR ARTICLES Filed May 27, 1949 2 SI-IEETS-Sl-XEET 2 Patented Mar. 17, 1953 UNITED STATES; PATENT FFICE scammers Foa ners, Nora rens, AND c siii/nina ARTICLES Kurt `{,Iogel, Eairiield, Conn., assigner to The Vogel Manufacturing Company, Bridgeport, Conn., a cti/,orinaration of Connecticut Application May 27, 1949, Serial No. 95,700

3 Qlaims.- 1

The present invention relates to a container for. keys., note pad and similar arti-cles, particularly of the type adapted to lbe carried in the pocket, and has for an object to provide such a container which isrelativelyv flat in form, is, free from projecting parts that may cause abrasion or wearin the persons pocket, and which provides an effectual protective enclosure for the articles carried therein.

A further object is to provide a container which may be economically manufactured from plastic material by standard plastic moulding methods, and particularly in which all of the operative parts' are included as integral parts of a oneypiece moulded structure.' It is proposed to construct the container of plastic material having the characteristics of pliability. and inherent elasticity, suitable materials for this purpose being, for example, the thermoplastic materials known as Polythene, a Du Pont product, and Polyethylene, a Bakelite product,

A further object is to provide a 'container v including integral catch means for retaining the enclosurev in closed position and which is operablel into retaining. and releasing position through the inherent elasticity of the. material 'of the container.

With the above and other objects in view, .eme bodiments of the invention are shown in the accompanying drawings, and these embodiments will be hereinafter more yfully described with reference thereto, and the invention will be nally pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a plan view of the container, accord,- ing to one illustrated exemplary embodiment of the invention, the same 4being shown in flattened position with its inner side exposed, and showiing a keyY holding assembly secured thereto.

Fig. 2"is an end view, as seen from the right :in Fig. 1. i

' Fig. 3 is a lower edge view, as seen from the bottom in Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is aY plan view showing the container in closed position.

` Fig'. 5 is a lower edge view, as seen from the 'bottom in Fig. 4. f

Fig. Gis an end view, as seen from the right in Fig. 4. v

Fig. 'l is a vertical sectional view, taken along the line 'l-l of Fig. 4. Fig'. 3 is a sectional view, similar to Fig. '7, showing one of the key hooks eiitended from' the .container with the container in closed position.

Fig. 9 is a Ihorizontal-sectional view, taken 2 along the line 8.-8 of Fig. 1, the key. holding assembly, as shown in Fig. l, beingv removed' for the sake of clearness.

Fig. 10 is a horizontal sectional view sho-wing the cover portion of the container being pressed into closed position with respect to the back por-E tion.

Fig. 11 is a horizontal sectional view showing the container in closed position.

Fig. 12 is a horizontalsectional view showing the one hand operation of opening. the container, the Idot-and-dash lines showing the -cover por: tion in open position.

Fig. 13 is a horizontal sectional view showing the container with a note pad attached thereto.

Fig. 14 is a horizontal .sectional view showing the |container with a ring holder for loose-.leafnote sheets attached thereto.

Fig. l5 is a vertical sectional View showing the container with a boX of cleaning tissues 'con-Y tained'therein, one of the cleaning tissues being partially extracted.

Fig. 16 is a vertical sectional view of a modied form of the container, and showing a coin dispenser carried therein.

Fig. 17 is a perspective view showing the con-.- tainer used as a picture carrying and display case.

Referring to the drawings, the container, according to the illustrated exemplary embodi# ment of the invention, is in the form of a onepiece moulded structure produced by standard plastic moulding methods from plastic material, and particularly a plastic material which in its nished moulded state is pliable and has a high coeiiicent of inherent elasticity, so that when it is bent or deformed from its normal shape it quickly returns t0 Such normal state.. This char-y acteristic is known Ain, the plastic industry as plastic fmemory. Suitable materials for this purpose are the thermoplastic materials knownv as Polythene, a Du Pont product, and Polyethylene, a Bakelite product. These materials have additional characteristics which are especially advantageous for their use in the Icontainer of the invention, namely they lare highly resista-nt to wear, are relatively smooth and soit to the touch, are resistant to deterioration by acids and similar agents, and may be readily cleaned' with ordinary soap and water.

The containeris of generally rectangular form in itsflattened open position asshown in Fig.` 1, as Well as in its folded closed position 'as shown in Fig. A, and comprises a rectangular back'portion I0, a rectangular cover portion l I, corresponding in outline shape to the back portion, and a foldable hinge portion I2 in the form of a web integrally connected between the inner edges of the back and cover portions, the hinge portion I2 being relatively thinner than the back and cover portions so that it has greater flexibility. rFhis thinness of the hinge portion is obtained by downwardly offsetting its inner surface so that shoulders I4 and I5 are provided at the inner edges of the back and cover portions and convexly curved transversely in the closed position of the container. The outer surfaces of the back and cover portions and the hinge portion are flush.

The back portion IB is provided along its outer marginal edge with an upstanding side Wall IE and along its upper and lower marginal edges with upstanding end Walls I'I and I8 terminating at their inner ends contiguous to the shoulder IG. The cover portion II is similarly provided along its outer portion marginal edge with an upstanding side wall I9 and along its upper and lower marginal edges with upstanding end walls 2t and 2I terminating at their inner ends contiguous to the shoulder I5. The side walls I6 and i9 and the lower end walls I8 and 2i are of equal height, and in the closed position of the container the walls I9 and 2I of the cover are disposed in outwardly surrounding relation to the walls I6 and I8 of the back portion, the walls i6 and I8 being spaced inwardly from the edges of the back portion to a greater extent than the inward spacing of the walls I9 and 2I from the edges of the cover portion. The upper end walls Il and 2li, however, are arranged' so that in the closed position they abut each other to provide a slit in the upper end of the container. For this purpose the upper end wall I1 and a contiguous portion of the side wall I6 are of relatively reduced height, and the upper end wall is also of relatively reduced height, so that in the closed position the combined height of the walls I'I and 2Q is equal to the height of the side and lower end walls. The shoulder 22 at the outer end of the upper end wall 2Q is curved into the side wall I9, so that in the closed position, as shown in Fig. 4, this shoulder embraces the corner between the walls I 6 and I1 of the back portion, thus presenting an unbroken appearance, as shown in Fig. 6. The purpose of forming the upper end walls I'i and 20 so that they provide a slit along the upper side of the closed container will be presently more fully pointed out.

Substantially centrally of the side wall I6 there is provided upon its outer side a wedge-shaped catch portion 23 formed upon an inwardly offset portion 24 of the wall I6, so that the edge of the catch portion projects beyond the outer surface of the wall and a pocket is provided in the wall beneath the flat under surface of the catch portion. In spaced relation below the catch portion there is provided a lnger-engaging stud portion 25, extending from the wall portion 24 slightly beyond the outer edge of the back portion I il, and which is adapted to be engaged by the thumb during the opening operation of the container, as will presently more fully appear.

Centrally of the side wall I9 of the cover p0rtion II there is provided upon its inner side a shaped catch portion 26 formed upon an outwardly offset portion 26a of the wall I9, adapted in the closed position of the container to engage beneath the catch portion 23. A groove 2l in the catch portion 26 embraces the stud portion in the closed position of theV oontarleh The operation of closing and opening the container is as follows: As shown in Fig. 9 the container is in its fully open flattened position, this being the form of the container as it is produced in a plastic moulding press. The portion I2 between the back and cover portions constitutes a spring hinge, as well as a closure for one side of the closed container. Its inherent elasticity is such that it exerts a lateral force to maintain the catch means in interengaged relation and also exerts an opening force on the cover when the catch means is released. To close the container the cover and back are simply pressed together, the catch portion 26 of the cover first engaging the inclined surface of the catch portion 23 of the back portion, and engaging beneath the catch portion 23 as the cover shifts forwardly and downwardly as indiciated by the arrows in Fig. 10, the connecting spring hinge portion I2 permitting such shifting movement of the cover relatively to the back. As the cover reaches its closed position the inherent elasticity of the hinge portion retracts the cover laterally to the normal closed position as shown in Fig. l1.

" In the closed position the side and end walls I6 and I3 are fitted within the side and end walls I9 and 2I and constitute a double thickness supporting wall structure between the back and cover portions so that the container has substantial rigidity. The container is adapted toV be opened by one hand operation, as shown in Fig. 12, the thumb being engaged with the stud portion 25 and pressed inwardly, causing the back portion to become slightly bowed and disengaging the catch portion 23 from the catch portion 26, the cover automatically swinging to open position as it is released. As soon as pressure upon the stud portion 25 is released, the back portion resumes its normal at'position through its inherent elasticity.

As shown in Figs. 1 to 8 the container is adapted to contain keys. The key-holding assembly may be of any standard type, the one illustrated con# sisting of a plate 28 provided at its upper edge with a curled tubular portion 29 provided with slots 3@ in which are engaged the shanks of key supporting hooks 3I. These hooks are provided within the tubular portion Y29 with ball ends 32, which permit swiveling movement of the hooks. The plate 28 is secured to the back portion by means of studs 33 integrally formed upon the back portion I0 and engaged through holes 34 in the plates, these studs being headed over, as at 35, by applying heat and pressure to their ends. The use of thermoplastic material for the container permits this. It will be understood that the plate 28 may, if desired, be secured by rivets, eyelets, staples, or other suitable means. Upon the inner side of the cover portion I I there is provided a transparent sheet of acetate or the like 3S adapted to form a pocket for identification cards or the like', being preferably secured by studs 3'! integrally formed upon the cover portion and headed over by heat and pressure, as at 38.

The slit between theupper end walls II and 2o permits one or more of the keys to be disposed outside of the container, as shown in Fig. 8, by swinging the key upwardly while the container` is in open positionand thereupon closing the container so that the shank portion of the hook is engaged in the slit. The inherent elasticity of the materialof the container permits the slit to open sufficiently for this purpose and also allows the hook to swivel,

In Fig. 1.3, the. coetanei is. shawn adapted to contain a memorandum pad ornate book 33, the bach-40 of which is preferably securedtothe back; portion- I ci the ca er by Y 4l integrally formedunonthe cont -ner and headed over; by' heat and. ores lira @2- a. 1Q Ilil d3- rnayf be conveniently carried inthe container:

by placing within the space formed livthe connecting; mae. portion l2. and'. the ends of; the uoperandloiver endwa S,

EE- 1.4i lQQQIB-lililll 1.5 SllQWn aS for; containing loose-leer sheets it Carried', a separablerins. 4.5,.4 the latter, beine sec-nedby rivets 45 to the inner Side of, the connecting portion l2.

In Fig; the container is shown .as adapted to; contain, a box of cleaning tissue or the. lgile 4l, the individnal sheets, fili being drawn therefrom through the slit provided between the upper end walls Il and- 2dv This cleaning-5 tissuemay be of the type where the sheets are so folded and interengaged that as one sheet is withdrawn it pulls out the end of the succeeding sheet.

In Fig. 16 the container is shown as adapted to have a coin dispenser i9 carried therein. A modified form of the container is illustrated in which the slit at the top of the container is dispensed with, the upper walls ila and 26a being of equal height with the other walls, and the wall l'la being disposed within the wall 2Go.

Fig. 17 shows the container used as a picture carrying and display case. Snapshots or the like 5D are secured within the baci: and cover portions, and for this purpose these portions are provided with headed over studs 5i engaged through perforations in the pictures in a similar manner to the attachment of the transparent acetate sheet 36 as shown in Fig. l. If desired such acetate sheets may be provided as covers or pockets for the pictures. In the closed position the container provides a ilat protective case for the pictures so that they may be conveniently carried in the pocket, while in the open position the container is self-supporting on a desk or the like, the hinge portion i2 maintaining the back and cover portions in open position so that the pictures are attractively framed by the upstanding wall portions. rli'he wall portions are all of equal height as in the modiiication shown in Fig. 16.

What is claimed is:

1. As an article of manufacture, a one-piece moulded container formed `of piiable and elastic material of the type having plastic men/wry, comprising a back portion and a cover portion each having inner, outer and side edges and disposed in spaced parallel and registering relation with each other in the closed position of the container, and a hinge web connection integral with and extending between said inner edges and convexly curved transversely in the closed position of the containeiysaid cover ,portion having an outer wall adjacent to its outer edge, said back portion having an outer wall adjacent to its outer edge disposed inwardly of said outer wall of said cover portion in the closed position of the latter, said outer walls oi said back and cover portions each having a catch portion extending toward the other wall and engagealole and disengageable respectively through parallel outward and inward shifting movementof said back portion relatively to said cover portion, .said hinge portion in the closed :position of the container exerting an equalizing force to maintain said bacia and cover portions in register, and adapted through. elastic derer-mation to perm-it said.; barils portion through inward pressure, on` its.` outer edge-1 to be inwardly. moved in parallel relation to said cover portion to. disengage. said. catch portions and. through. its` inherent elastic-ity` to, e-xertopen ing pressure on said cover portion, and flirt er adapted through plastic -memor.y: to. exert outwardpressureon saidv backportion to; engage saidi catch portions with each otherfollowingthe closingl of said cover portion.

2. As anarticle of manufacture, a one-piece moulded container formed o'fpliable and elastic plastic materialI ot the type having plastic finemoryft comprising a back portion of substantially. rectangularoutline, a cover portion. of corre:` spending rect-angular outline, each having` inner, outer and side edgesand disposed in spaced parallel and registering relation with each other in the closed position of the container, and a hingey web connection integral with and extending between said inner edges and convexly curved transversely in the closed position of the container, said cover portion having an. outer Wall adjacent to its outer edge, said bach por-tion having an outer wall adjacent to its outer edge disposed inwardly of said outer wall of said cover portion in the closed position of the latter, said outer walls of said back and cover portions each having a laterally disposed catch portion extending toward the other wall and engageable and disengageahle respectively through parallel outward and inward shifting movement of said back portion relatively to said cover portion and said outer Walls having cooperating cam portions adapted as said cover part is swung into closed position to exert inward shifting movement to said back portion to dispose said catch portions in laterally oiset position, said hinge portion in the closed position of the container exerting an equalizing force to maintain said base and cover portions in register, and adapted through elastic deformation to permit said base portion through inward pressure on its outer edge to be inwardly moved in parallel relation to said cover portion to disengage said catch portions and through its inherent elasticity to exert opening pressure on said cover portion, and further adapted through plastic memory to exert outward pressure on said back portion to engage said catch portions with each other following the closing of said cover portion and said inward shifting thereof by said cam portions.

'3. As an article of manufacture, a one-piece moulded container formed of pliable and elastic plastic material of the type having plastic memory, comprising a back portion and a cover portion, each of substantially rectangular outline and each having inner, outer and side edges and disposed in spaced parallel and registering relation with each other in the closed position of the container, and a hinge web connection integral with and extending between said inner edges and convexly curved transversely in the closed position of the container, said cover portion having an outer wall and side walls parallel to and adjacent said outer and side edges of said cover, said outer wall and at least one of said side walls being of equal height and having their. lower edges parallel to said back and cover portions and engageable by the upper side of said back portion in the closed position of the container, said back portion having an outer wall parallel to and adjacent its outer edge disposed inwardly of said outer wall of said cover portion inthe closed position of the latter, said outer Walls of said back and cover portions each having a catch portion extending toward the other wall and engageable and disengageable respectively through parallel outward and inward shifting movement of said back portion relatively to said cover portion, said hinge portion in the closed position of the container exerting an equalizing force to maintain said back and cover portions in register, and being capable through elastic deformation to permit said back portion through inward pressure on its outer edge to be inwardly moved in parallel relation to said cover portion to disengage said catch portions and through its inherent elasticity to exert opening pressure on said cover portion, and further adapted through plastic memory to exert outward pressure on said back portion to engage said catch portions with each other following the closing of said cover portion.

KURT Mi. VOGEL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

Number Number 8 UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Welander Mar. 31, 1896 Pitz July 27, 1897 Buxton Nov. 22, 1927 Gardner Mar. 3, 1936 l Buxton July 27, 1937 Primas May 14, 1940 Miller Aug. 26, 1941 Hyatt Oct. 13, 1942 White Jan. 5, 1943 Schwartz Mar. 26, 1946 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Great Britain Apr. 3, 1928 OTHER REFERENCES Modern Pack-aging, page 97, March 1949. 

